Forests & Fields

The Challenge

Canadian forests and farmlands play key roles for our communities, our economy, and our wildlife. The health of the majority of Canada’s wildlife depends on conservation actions taken in our forests, fields and farmlands.

What We are Doing

Conserving Boreal Forests and Wildlife

Western Boreal Forest Conservation Planning

Canada’s western boreal forest is a region of national and international interest due to its immense economic and ecological values. The region’s oil, natural gas, timber, arable land, and minerals are all sources of great economic potential, but they also carry risks to wildlife and their habitat due to the cumulative effects of dispersed and often overlapping impacts of resource development. Oil and gas extraction in the area has drawn a great deal of national and international attention due to its large carbon footprint, particularly the oil sands; however, carbon emissions are only part of the story.

The next 50 years of development of multiple, overlapping resources will also change the forests, wetlands, streams and rivers with consequences for wildlife and ecosystem services in the region an area three times the size of the United Kingdom.

Boreal Caribou recovery and conservation action

The draft recovery strategy is a plan for managing the boreal forest in such a way that caribou are able to survive over the long term. The guiding principle of the strategy is that boreal caribou can survive with some loss of their forest habitat but the larger the amount of habitat destroyed, the less likely it is caribou will survive. Deciding how much habitat can be destroyed without compromising caribou survival is the most important decision in the recovery strategy. By setting rules for how much habitat can be destroyed, the recovery strategy will dictate how much of the boreal forest will remain intact over the long run for both caribou and people to enjoy.

Addressing Wildlife Disease

White-nose Syndrome in Bats

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. This fungus grows on the exposed skin of bats as they hibernate during the winter in caves and mines. The cool temperatures of these hibernating sites allows the fungus to grow and spread throughout the site and on the bats themselves. The disease shows up as a fuzzy white substance on their ears, wings and muzzles. However, this isn’t the only damage this fungus causes. Internally the bat’s muscle tissues and blood vessels are affected and the bats end up dying as a result of dehydration (they lose water and electrolytes from their wings) and starvation (they wake up from hibernation more frequently using their fat reserves which can’t be replaced as flying insects are not available). The results of WNS are devastating with some Canadian populations down by 90 percent in only three years.

Maintaining and Restoring Abundant Bird Populations

Wild About Birds

Surely some of the most watched and beloved of Canada's wildlife species are the birds we see in our backyards. Robins and woodpeckers, hummingbirds and goldfinches intrigue us with their antics or cheer us with their songs. We may take our birds for granted, yet they have a lot to teach us.

B.I.R.D.: Bird Impact Reduction Day

Windows are everywhere: in our homes, offices, stores, cottages...everywhere. To Canada’s birds, the false azure of a windowpane can be a death sentence. Bird collisions with windows are a leading cause of bird death across Canada – careening into windows at speeds as high as 50km an hour, birds often die upon impact due to the resulting brain damage. About 25 million birds are killed by colliding with windows in Canada annually. Windows during the day reflect the surrounding landscape creating the illusion of safe passage and tall lit buildings at night impede natural migratory paths. During National Wildlife Week, CWF is teaming up with FLAP Canada on our Bird Impact Reduction Day (B.I.R.D.) initiative, raising awareness of the problem of bird/building collisions and sharing information on how we can all help reverse this threat to our winged species.

Perpetuating Pollinators

A Regal Species: Monarch Butterflies

The Monarch Butterfly population has experienced significant decline over the past 20 years in North America. The primary threats include the loss of overwintering habitat in Mexico and California, loss of host and nectar plants in their breeding grounds, the widespread use of pesticides and herbicides throughout their breeding grounds, and climate change. In December 2016, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) announced it was changing the monarch butterfly’s status from special concern to endangered.

The Canadian Wildlife Federation believes that large-scale habitat restoration is imperative for avoiding extinction of this species. This spring we are launching a new project to address Monarch Butterfly conservation. We will be partnering with municipalities, utility companies, and landowners to restore and support Monarch migratory pathways. We believe that recovery of the Monarch is within our grasp, if we all work toward this goal.

Migratory Bird Conservation

Celebrate the Centennial of the Migratory Birds Convention

Signed on August 16, 1916 the Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds (more commonly known as the Migratory Birds Convention) between Canada and the United States was intended to regulate the bird’s harvest and assure the preservation of species either harmless or beneficial to man. This convention was passed into law in Canada the following year, in 1917.

This has helped our migratory birds tremendously. As a result of the Migratory Birds Convention, the harvest of birds, especially waterfowl, shifted from uncontrolled to sustainable thanks to the introduction of the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit in 1966. To fight against threats such as the loss, degradation and fragmentation of habitat, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries were created in areas that provide important habitat. Currently there are more than 90 Migratory Bird Sanctuaries across Canada that protect more than 11 million hectares of terrestrial and marine migratory bird habitat.

Education

Encouraging Canadians across the country (and beyond) to step outside, get familiar with wildlife and engage in the natural world. CWF delivers programs to inspire conservation ethic for all and offering training that connects people with wildlife and nature through experiential learning.

WILD Spaces

Through CWF’s WILD Spaces program, youths aged nine to 12 develop conservation ethic by creating pollinator habitat and sharing that experience with other students. Through an online classroom, participants from across the country interact as they learn about pollinators, discover how to create suitable habitat, and share pictures and stories of the wild spaces they create for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Perks for select groups with outstanding participation include pollinator-friendly plants or free entry to their local botanical gardens.

WILD Webinars

With topics relating to conservation, wildlife and habitat, we provide a relevant online learning platform, typically for grades four to six, but of benefit to any age. WILD Webinars are informative, engaging and just the right length at 20 to 30 minutes. Our Hinterland Who’s Who iconic species series is just one example of the quality content we have to share.

Get Involved

Tree Day

Tree Day takes place on the third Wednesday of September every year! Tree Day is a celebration of all the amazing and important benefits trees provide like clean air, soil stabilizations, shelter, food for wildlife and more!

Volunteer

#Boreal Forest Forever

The Western Boreal Forest plays a critical role in absorbing and storing greenhouse gases which help mitigate the impacts of climate change. Canada needs a comprehensive solution for sustainable use of our natural resources, maintaining the boreal forest’s role in storing carbon, and conserving the wildlife that call the forest home.

Resources

In the News

February 27, 2018
– The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) applauds the federal government’s historic new investment of $1.3 billion to advance conservation in Canada and an additional $1 billion to support our environmental laws.

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